Verstappen: 'Solid FP1' key to Baku Sprint weekend, but 'chaos' possible

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Max Verstappen says a "solid" first practice on Friday in Baku will likely set up Red Bull for the remainder of its weekend, but the championship leader says things could get "slightly chaotic" on Saturday.

This weekend's fourth race of the season will take place within Formula 1's new Sprint format that will leave teams and drivers with just a single practice session on Friday to set up their cars.

As part of the Sprint schedule's changes, Friday's afternoon qualifying will determine the grid for Sunday's race while a Saturday's FP2 has been replaced by a Sprint Shootout that will set the grid for the afternoon's 30-minute race.

But with little time devoted to set-up work and on a street track that takes no prisoners, working diligently and keeping it clean from the outset will be key factors in delivering a productive weekend.

However, Verstappen - who won last year on along the shores of the Caspian Sea - still sees a potential for chaos to creep in on Saturday.

"Baku is a challenging track to get right," said the Dutchman in Red Bull's Azerbaijan Grand Prix preview.

"As it’s a street circuit with long straights, it gives us multiple options on what wings we can run.

Read also: Horner doesn't see Verstappen 'being a Fernando Alonso'

"It’s also the first Sprint race weekend of the season so that might make it slightly chaotic.

"We just need to try and get a good start into the weekend with a solid FP1 session. Let’s see what we can do."

Sergio Perez, a one-time winner in Baku and a driver who particularly appreciates the challenge offered by street circuits, echoed his Red Bull teammate's view on the importance of Friday's FP1 work session.

"The new weekend format is going to make things tricky when it comes to car set-up but every team is in the same position and we just have to make sure we are on it from the minute we roll out on Friday," commented the Mexican.

Perez reckons that F1's upcoming five-race stint that will unfold over a variety of tracks will provide Red Bull with a definitive assessment of the team's RB19.

"We have five races in six weeks and after that, with the mix of circuits we are visiting, we are really going to see how good the RB19 can be this year," he added.

"We had a great Team result in Baku last season and everyone knows I really enjoy a street circuit - winning is always the aim.

"I can’t wait to get back in the car now."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.